Suction device for the transfer of liquid from one container to another



April 24, 1956 w. JORDAN 2,743,078

SUCTION DEVICE FOR THE TRANSFER OF LIQUID FROM ONE CONTAINER TO ANOTHER2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 10, 1954 QIIAVIIIIIIIIIIIl/ M I am Apnl 24,1956 w. JORDAN 2,743,078

SUCTION DEVICE FOR THE TRANSFER OF LIQUID FROM ONE CONTAINER TO ANOTHER2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 10, 1954 United States Patent SUCTION DEVICEFOR THE TRANSFER OF FROM ONE CONTAINER TO AN- Walter Jordan,Braunschweig, Germany Application November 10, 1954, Serial No. 468,093Claims priority, application Germany December 17, 1953 5 Claims. (Cl.251-65) The present invention relates to a suction device for drawingoff liquid from containers, or for transferring liquid from onecontainer to another, for instance from barrels to tanks or vice versa.For certain liquids, such as gasoline, diesel oil, petroleum or thelike, it is undesirable or even dangerous, if during the transfer of theliquid from one container to another, air is sucked into the container.

It is necessary, therefore, that the suction device, be tightly closedand reliably safeguarded against undesired opening when it is removedfrom one container for use in another. This is particularly importantfor suction plants having a plurality of suction devices connected to acommon suction conduit, and where one or more of the suction devices maybe in action simultaneously, while the remaining suction devices may beat rest or ready for transfer to another container.

According to the invention the suction device consists of abottom-valve, provided at that end of a suction conduit which restsagainst the bottom of the container to be emptied when the device is inaction.

The bottom-valve consists of a tubular body which has one of its endsconnected to the suction end of a suction conduit in such manner that itis in open communication therewith and which has its opposite end openfor the admission of the liquid and provided with a conical valve-seat.A closing element for the free open end of the tubular body is providedwith a conical surface portion adapted to fit the conical valve seat.When actuated by the force of gravity, the closing element canautomatically move in wedge-like fashion into self-locking, air-tightclosing position on the conical valve-seat of the tubular body.

The closing member is further provided with a bodyportion which inclosing position of the member projects from the free end of the tubularbody in outward or downward direction. Fastened to said free end of thetubular body is further a helical compression spring which surrounds thedownwardly projecting portion like a protective cage, and which is ofsuch height and strength that the closing element is thereby enabled tomove into its closing position even when the I bottom-valve restsagainst the bottom of the container to be emptied, since the spring iscompressed only slightly by the weight of the bottom-valve and itscomponent parts. I

The valve is so constructed that only a vigorous mechanical blow of thefree end of the bottom-valve against the bottom of the container willpush the closing element out of its conical valve-seat in the tubularbody. When that happens, the compression spring becomes compressed tosuch an extent that the portion of the closing element projecting fromthe tubular body hits against the bottom of the container with theresult that the closing element is thereby dislodged from the conicalvalve-seat.

In open position, the closing element is supported by the flow-pressureof the liquid sucked into'the tubular body as long as this flow-pressurecontinues, that is to say, until the container is empty. For thispurpose the to the pressure of the flowing fluid and acting to assist inthe opening of the valve.

In an earlier application Serial No. 345,753, filed on March 30, 1953,these lifting surfaces are formed on a drop-weight which is looselyshiftably mounted on a valve-stem fastened to the closing element andguided in guide-collars fastened by means of supporting strips to theinner wall of the tubular body. A shade, fastened to the valve-stem at asuitable height of the latter, acts as an anvil for the drop-weight,onto which it drops as soon as the container is empty.

In order to make the aforesaid drop-weight drive the conical surfaceportion of the closing element tightly enough in wedge-like andair-tight fashion into the conical valve-seat of the tubular body, theheight of fall must not be too small. On the other hand, the dead weightof the drop-weight must not exceed a certain limit, in view of the factthat it has to be lifted and to be supported in said lifted position bythe liquid, sucked into the tubular body.

Now, if the transfer equipment is so devised that the speed of flow isonly a comparatively small one, that is to say, when a low-speed pump isbeing used, then the closing element will only be lifted and supportedby the flow-pressure just slightly above its valve-seat, while anadditional lifting of the drop-weight to a suitable height above theclosing element may in some cases not take place at all.

In cases like this, a blow-like closing of the valve by means of amechanical blow which forces the closing element into self-lockingair-tight closing engagement with the valve seat may be rather doubtful.

Hence, the object of the present invention is to eliminate thisuncertainty, and to simultaneously simplify the construction, ascompared with the construction disclosed in the aforesaid earlierapplication Serial No. 345,753.

According to the invention this is achieved by substituting for theaforesaid axially shiftable drop-weight, a permanent magnet which isrigidly mounted on the valvestem and which guarantees a mechanical blowof such force that the closing element is thereby automatically forcedinto self-locking clamping engagement even at comparatively small heightof fall. a

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which an embodiment of the invention has been shown by wayof example. However, it should be understood that the invention is notconfined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings, butmay be changed or modified, so long as such changes or modificationsmark vention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which like parts are referred to by the samereference numerals,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the bottomvalve in closedposition;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the bottomvalve in openpositon;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view showing the bottom-valve in operatingposition within a gasoline tank; and

Fig. 4 is a top-view of the magnet-keeper.

Referring now to the drawings: the bottom-valve consists of a pipe 1corresponding in length to the height of the containers to be emptied,for instance a gasoline tank B (Fig. 3). The valve pipe 1 is providedwith a handle G, by means of'which it can easily be withdrawn from onecontainer and introduced into another one.

The handle G is fastened at a curved tubular member R provided with aconnecting socket T for fastening the member R to the suction end of asuctionconduit S.

Patented Apr. 24, 1956 Fastened to the free lower end of the pipe 1 is atubular body 14 in such a way that it is in open communication withpipe 1. Screwed into the opposite free open end of the tubular body 14is a sleeve-like member 2 having a conical valve-seat 3 for a closingmember 4. The closing member 4 is formed with a conical surface portion4a fitting into the conical valve-seat 3; this enables member 4 to moveautomatically in wedge-like fashion into self-locking air-tight closingengagement with the conical valve-seat 3 under conditions to bediscribed here inbelow. The closing member 4 is further provided with aportion 11 which, when the member 4 is in closed posi' tion invalve-seat 3, freely projects in downward direction from the lower endof the sleeve-like member 2 (see Fig. l).

A helical spring 12 fastened at and embracing the lower end of themember 2 surrounds the outwardly projecting portion 11 of the closingmember 4. The helical spring 12 is of such height and strength that. theclosing member 4 can move into its closing position (shown in Fig. 1)even though the bottom valve may rest lightly upon the bottom of thecontainer B with the aforesaid spring 12 loosely resting upon the bottomof the container B. Only a powerful mechanical blow will compress thespring 12 to such an extent that the projecting portion 11 of member 4can hit against the bottom of the container and thus dislodge theconical surface portion 4a of the member 4 from its valve-seat 3 (seeFig. 2).

In its open position member 4 is supported by the flowpressure of theliquid sucked into the tubular body 14 as long as there is liquid in thecontainer.

Fastened to the inner end of the closing member 4 is a stem 5 which isguided in an upper and a lower guidecollar 6 and 7, said collars beingheld in position by transversely extending supporting members 13 and 19of the tubular body 14.

According to the invention the guide-collar 6 carries on its uppersurface a magnet-keeper 8 for a permanent magnet 9 fastened on the upperreduced end portion of valve-stem 5 by means of a nut 5a and a counternut 5b and which on its circumference is preferably provided with aplurality of annular shade-like lifting surfaces It) extending in adirection opposed to that of the flow of the liquid in the suction pipe1.

The lifting surfaces 10 cooperate with the flow-pressure in thedisplacement of the closing member in upward direction.

Tests made with bottom-valves of this kind have taught that, even incases where the speed of flow and the flowpressure of the liquid aresmall, the valve-cone 4, due to the force of the magnet 9 will drop withblow-like force as soon as the flow-pressure ceases, so that cone 4 willthereby be forced into self-locking clamping engagement with thevalve-seat 3 for completely hermetic sealing and will be reliablyprotected against unintended opening, for instance through thesuction-eflect of the pump.

According to the invention the construction is further so devised that,when valve-cone 4 is in closing position, there is always a slightair-gap of about 0.1 to 0.55 mm. between the magnet 9 and the keeper 8,so that under all circumstances a perfect closing and wedge-like lookingengagement is guaranteed.

In order to prevent impurities or foreign bodies from coming between themagnet 9 and the keeper 8, the latter is made according to the inventionin the shape of a disc provided with segment-like openings 16, and ribsthereby produced are made with acute-angled upper edges, as shown inFig. '4. Foreign bodies cannot adhere to such acutely shaped ridges asare formed by ribs 15; they slide down and drop out of the openings 16into container B.

The operation of the suction device according to the invention is asfollows:

An operator grips the suction pipe 1 at the handle 6 andpasses itthrough an opening at the top of the filled container B (Fig, 3), Spring12 is pushed with a heavy impact against the bottom of container B andis thereby compressed to such an extent that the projecting portion 11of valve cone 4 will likewise strike against the bottom of container Band will be made to slide into the tubular portion 2. As a result, theconical surface 4a of cone 4 is driven out of its seat 3, the valve isopened and simultaneously the permanent magnet 9 is lifted from themagnet keeper 8 by valve rod 5, so that the magnetic force between thesetwo parts is interrupted.

Gasoline, which is sucked off by means of a pump (not shown) throughhose S, starts now to flow and the pressure of How maintains valve cone4 in its open position, as shown in Fig. 2, by acting upon theprojecting portion 11 of the valve cone 4 and on the lifting faces 1% ofmagnet 9.

Immediately after having hit the bottom of container 3, spring 12 isreleased so far that, in spite of the weight of suction pipe 1 withbottom valve, cone 4 with its projection 11 is capable of emerging fromthe tubular part 2 and of testing with its conical portion 4a on seat 3without pipe 1 having to be lifted from the bottom of container B; inother words, the valve closes automatically without any action orattention from the operator, in the same moment in which the flow ofliquid ceases. Furthermore, due to the magnetic attraction between parts8 and 9, the valve will close abruptly by the conical portion 4abecoming seated on valve seat 3 when, immediately before completeemptying of container B, cone 4 has become lowered so far that it willonly be held above seat 3 by a weak pressure of flowing liquid which isdue to the diminishing force of the flowing gasoline about to becomeexhausted.

What I claim is:

I. In a suction device for the transfer of liquid, such as gasoline,diesel oil, petroleum or the like, from one container to another, thecombination with the suction end of the suction conduit of the device,of a tubular member at one end connected to and in communication withsaid suction end of said suction conduit and at its opposite free endopen for the admission of liquid and formed with a conical valve-seat;closing means for said free open end of said tubular member, saidclosing means having a conical surface portion fitting said conicalvalve seat at the free end of said tubular member and being providedwith expelling means projecting when said clos- 1g means is in closingposition on said conical valve seat, out of said free end of saidtubular member in downward direction; springy safeguarding meansprovided at the free end of said tubular member and loosely surroundingsaid projecting expelling means in cage-like fashion, said springysafeguarding means being of such strength that unintended expulsivepressure against said expelling means is thereby prevented and thatexpulsive pressure against said expelling means is normally possibleonly through blow-like compression of said springy safeguarding means;and magnetic means including a permanent magnet connected with saidclosing means and adapted to return said closing means automatically inblow-like fashion onto said conical valve-seat in such manner thatselflocking closing engagement with said valve-seat is thereby reliablyguaranteed.

2. A suction device as specified in claim 1, in which said closing meanshas the shape of a valve-cone provided with a valve-stem slidinglyguided within said tubular member, and said permanent magnet is rigidlyarranged on said valve-stem above said valvecone; said magnetic meansincluding a magnet-keeper rigidly arranged within said tubular memberand loosely surrounding said valve-stem between said permanent magnetand said valve-cone, said magnet keeper being capable of attracting thepermanent magnet shortly before said valve cone engages the valve seat.

3. A suction device as specified in claim 1, in which said closing meanshas the shape of a valve-cone provided with a valve-stem ,slidinglyguided within said tubular member, and said permenant magnet is rigidlyarranged on said valve-stem above said valve-cone and provided withlifting surfaces exposed to the pressure of the flowing fluid and actingto assist in the opening of the valve, the magnetic means furtherincluding a magnet-keeper ri idly arranged within said tubular memberand loosely surrounding said valve-stem between said permanent magnetand said valve-cone, said magnet keeper being capable of attracting thepermanent magnet shortly before said valve cone engages the valve seat.

4. A suction device as specified in claim 1, in which said closing meanshas the shape of a valve-cone provided with a valve-stem slidinglyguided within said tubular member, and said permanent magnet is rigidlyarranged on said valve-stem above said valve-cone and provided withlifting surfaces exposed to the pressure of the flowing fluid and actingto assist in the opening of the valve, the magnetic means furtherincluding a magnetkeeper rigidly arranged within said tubular member andloosely surrounding said valve-stem between said permanent magnet andsaid valve-cone, said magnet-keeper having the shape of a circular plateprovided with segment-like openings and having the ribs positionedbetween said segment-like openings provided with acute-angled upperedges, said magnet keeper being capable of attracting the permanentmagnet shortly before said valve cone engages the valve seat.

5. A suction device as specified in claim 1, in which said closing meanshas the shape of a valve-cone provided with a valve-stem slidinglyguided within said tubular member and said permanent magnet is rigidlyarranged on said valve-stem above said valve-cone and provided withlifting surfaces exposed to the pressure of the flowing fluid and actingto assist in the opening of the valve; said magnetic means including amagnet-keeper rigidly arranged within said tubular member andlooselyrsurrounding said valve-stem between said permanent magnet andsaid valve-cone, said magnet-keeper being arranged at such distance fromsaid permanent magnet that when said valve-cone is in self-lockingclosing engagement with said valve-seat there still is a slight gapbetween said permanent magnet and said magnet-keeper, said magnet keeperbeing capable of attracting the permanent magnet shortly before saidvalve cone engages the valve seat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS442,696 Thompson Dec. 16, 1890 FOREIGN PATENTS 498 Great Britain 1905

